In my theology class we have been reading about the end of the world as we know it. The scientific name for this is "eschatology," or the study of last things. There have been many views about what happens after we die, what will happen to the universe when all the stars run out of energy. The resurrection of Jesus Christ gives Christians hope that death is not the end, that God will creatively breathe new life into our decaying bodies so that we may endlessly dwell with God in a new creation. This reminded me of a poem I read in high school by Charles Wright. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the poem and this subject.
"October"
The leaves fall from my fingers.
Cornflowers scatter across the field like stars,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . like smoke stars,
By the rain tracks, the lives in a drift
Under the snow clouds
. . . . . . . . . . . and the nine steps to heaven,
The light falling in great sheets through the trees,
Sheets almost tangible.
The transfiguration will start like this, I think,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . breathless,
Quick blade through the trees,
Something with red colors falling away from my hands,
The air beginning to go cold . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . And when it does
I'll rise from this tired body, a blood-knot of light,
Ready to take the darkness in.
--Or for the wind to come
And carry me, bone by bone, through the sky,
Its wafer a burn on my tongue,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . its wine deep forgetfulness.
